Aprons: a comeback

January 21, 2010 12:00 AM

Aprons are in vogue. The garment that began as the fajita of clothing, pulled together from leftover fabric, matured into a fashion statement in the ’50s.
This one is from The Apron Book, $16.95, Andrews McMeel. less

Aprons are in vogue. The garment that began as the fajita of clothing, pulled together from leftover fabric, matured into a fashion statement in the ’50s. This one is from The Apron Book, $16.95, Andrews ... more

Photo: The Apron Book

Aprons are in vogue. The garment that began as the fajita of...photo-1279173.19619 - |ucfirst

Aprons went underground in the turbulent ’60s and ’70s.
But now the apron is back, around the necks and in the kitchens of pragmatic younger women and nostalgic older ones. Pictured: An apron from The Apron Book, $16.95, Andrews McMeel. less

Aprons went underground in the turbulent ’60s and ’70s. But now the apron is back, around the necks and in the kitchens of pragmatic younger women and nostalgic older ones. Pictured: An apron from The ... more

Photo: The Apron Book

Aprons went underground in the turbulent ’60s and ’70s.
But now...photo-1279174.19619 - |ucfirst

"The apron now stands for a lot of things,” says EllynAnne Geisel, author of The Apron Book and one of the nation’s best-known collectors. “It’s a storytelling vehicle. It’s domestic armor. It’s a memory trigger. It’s kitschy art.”

"The apron now stands for a lot of things,” says EllynAnne Geisel, author of The Apron Book and one of the nation’s best-known collectors. “It’s a storytelling vehicle. It’s domestic armor. It’s a ... more

Photo: Anthropologie

"The apron now stands for a lot of things,” says EllynAnne...photo-1279175.19619 - |ucfirst

This pink and yellow floral apron is new at Pier 1 this month, $14.95.

This pink and yellow floral apron is new at Pier 1 this month, $14.95.

Photo: Pier 1

This pink and yellow floral apron is new at Pier 1 this month, $14.95.photo-1279176.19619 - |ucfirst

Older aprons were made from discarded flour or feed sacks. As society became less rural, store-bought aprons became more popular.

Older aprons were made from discarded flour or feed sacks. As society became less rural, store-bought aprons became more popular.

Photo: Nick De La Torre, HOUSTON CHRONICLE

Older aprons were made from discarded flour or feed sacks. As...photo-1279177.19619 - |ucfirst

Working aprons with big pockets were worn during chores and while cooking. Fancier aprons of lace or taffeta were worn after guests showed up for dinner. Full aprons were for hard work. Half-aprons, tied around the waist, were for easy days. less

Working aprons with big pockets were worn during chores and while cooking. Fancier aprons of lace or taffeta were worn after guests showed up for dinner. Full aprons were for hard work. Half-aprons, tied around ... more

Photo: EWAN

Working aprons with big pockets were worn during chores and while...photo-1279178.19619 - |ucfirst

Aprons are in vogue. The garment that began as the fajita of clothing, pulled together from leftover fabric, matured into a fashion statement in the ’50s.
This one is from The Apron Book, $16.95, Andrews McMeel. less

Aprons are in vogue. The garment that began as the fajita of clothing, pulled together from leftover fabric, matured into a fashion statement in the ’50s. This one is from The Apron Book, $16.95, Andrews ... more